Minor league baseball is returning to Kinston in 2017

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on August 23, 2016 1:48 PM

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Minor league baseball, after a six-year absence, is returning to Kinston.

Minor League Baseball announced Monday that it will add two teams to the Single A Carolina League next season, and disband two organizations from the Single A California League.

Kinston will be owned by the Texas Rangers, who has a 12-year agreement with the city of Kinston to provide a team to play a historic Grainger Stadium -- which hosted Carolina League teams from 1956-57, 1962-74 and 1978-2011.

"The Texas Rangers are very happy to be bringing baseball back to the great city of Kinston and we want to thank Minor League Baseball and the Kinston leadership for helping us make this a reality for 2017," said Neil Leibman, Texas Rangers ownership committee chairman.

"We are excited about creating the best fan experience possible at Grainger Stadium and we look forward to working with the city Kinston and its residents to make it a top Carolina League franchise."

Fayetteville is expected to receive a CL team in two years due to extensive work on a stadium in the military-based city. Fayetteville played host to a CL franchise from 1950-56 and served as the home a South Atlantic League (SALLY League) team from 1987-2000.

"Realignment doesn't happen often and we are excited to be part of this process that addresses some issues important to our industry," said John Hopkins, CL president.

-- From staff reports